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CONFEDERATE PIKE – SOUTH CAROLINA

During the American Civil War, the Southern army had to resort to any means in order to arm the troops. Most of their arms were either imported from foreign countries, or captured on the battlefield. There were a rare number of arms that were produced in the Confederate States. These were rare, and were often heavily used. Those that remain in existence today, have a certain mystique and bring an exceptional value.

This CSA pike is considered a bridal cutter. It has a long spear head, and also a hook for cutting the bridle of passing yankee cavalrymen. This pike was found in a large cache of equipment that was found along a railway in South Carolina. The cache was unearthed and is well documented in local newspapers, and letters to the Smithsonian, US Army, and others.

The condition is overall chocolate heavy patina, and has a light varnish or oil coating. There is no flaking and the metal is solid and well preserved. The original straps are still partially intact. These held the pike head to the wooden shaft. Its amazing to think that in the time of cartridge firearms like the Spencer and Henry, that someone would be desperate enough to use long pikes.

The pike also comes with a large portfolio covering the provenance of the find. The prior owner had purchased a few of these pikes at the same time, and received one set for all. This pike has no lead tag, as it was purchased from the original diggers. This portfolio will go along with the purchase of the pike. The file includes: A signed letter 1984 from Atlanta Cutlery covering the location, copies of pike photos when they were found, a copy of a letter from the person who found them in 1980, a two page letter covering the history of the pikes, a copy of a letter from the army covering their info on the pike designs from one found on Fort Wagner, a copy of a letter from the Citadel museum covering their pike info, two newspaper articles on the pikes being found and they have pictures, a long report on the pikes found with pictures, a copy of the 1895 War Of the Rebellion Official Records describing the April 1865 capture and burning of the Confederate supply train near Sumterville and Camden South Carolina. These documents are all copies, and there are over 50 pages covering everything.

Here are some details from the portfolio… Either the Charleston, Camden or Columbia ironworks made the pikes. They were shipped to Savannah in 1862. There were classed as Georgia pikes at first, but they are not. The one depicted in the American Polearms book is a captured bridle-cutter and was captured here in Charleston at Battery Wagner on Morris Island. It is the first one ever depicted. They were used in three skirmishes in Georgia, and a couple in Tennessee. They were also used in a few skirmishes in South Carolina. These polearms were on this train shipment either to bring the items out of Columbia back to Charleston, thinking Sherman was coming. The train was supposed to go to Bentonville, but was halted by a burned out bridge. Potter’s US troops raided the 5 trains that were stranded. There were a number of CS soldiers chased from the trains. The train cars were looted and burned by the yankees. Locals said you could see the burning for miles. So there the train remains lied for years. In the 1940s, some deer hunters found the remains and figured they could sell the metal for scrap. For over 2 years they pulled out the metal and sold it. They took out everything from muskets, cannonballs, sabers, pikes and repair parts. Because the train had blown up, they found barrels and bayonets still wrapped around trees. After being shown the area, the digger found a fault in the landscape which not been cleared. His first dig he found a SC railroad lock, and then started finding the pikes. It took him 9 days to dig out all of the pikes. This was in 1980.

This is a rare chance to own a true piece of Confederate history. The provenance is unquestionable, as these pikes are extremely well documented.

Check my other auctions. There will be lots of cartridges and military items.

If you have questions, please send an e-mail prior to bidding.

Thanks! I have been a member of Gunbroker for many years, and have a high satisfaction rating.

Terms of Sale – Please Read Carefully.

There is a 3 day inspection period. If not happy, just return it.

Returns must be in the original condition, and insured. If used, it cannot be returned.

Postal Money orders required.

Buyer must send proof that they are 21 or older.

Seller has the right to void sales if payment/documents are not received within five business days.